In the pub a few hours ago, I left the building to go outside for a cigarette and was joined by a pretty young woman who told me she was from New Zealand. I already knew that from the way she pronounced, 'fish and chips'.
I asked her if she had Maori blood in her (knowing from her colouring, face shape and dark green eyes that she did) and she said that I was the first person to have spotted that she was on this continent. I think - although I didn't say - that I was the first to actually ask.
She suggested we gave each other the traditional Maori greeting, so I asked for instructions, hoping it didn't involve slapping of thighs, shouting and sticking our tongues out.
"We hold hands and we look into each other's eyes", she said, taking my hands in hers, "And we press our noses together like this, transmitting the spirit, love and respect between each other for a moment."
So we did. I fell in love with another stranger.
Then did you give her one?
ReplyDeleteRight on the nose.
DeleteOr maybe up the nose, I can't remember.
DeleteWhat a lovely start to the season of love. It almost seems smarmy to draw a parallel, but old fool that I am, I must.
ReplyDeleteNot smarmy at al, Joanne. I was a litle bit choked with emotion after that happened.
DeleteIt was not just to do with her as an individual, it was to do with common humanity. I would have felt the same if I had done this with a man.
What I love about this is the sweetness of your thoughts about it.
DeleteNot sweetness so much, more expansiveness.
DeleteOh, you got my hopes up for a minute.
DeleteHope she didn't have a streaming cold.
ReplyDeleteShe didn't. I did. I was keeping up the old Western tradition of passing on virus' to remote, tribal people who do not have the immune system to deal with them.
DeleteOh, you are so bad. There is a song from maybe the sixties that is very pretty (I fell in love with a perfect stranger...). Come on Rachel, I know you can remember it and who sang it. It was a theme from a movie.
DeleteThe Heart speaks is various ways.
ReplyDeletePlease translate.
Delete...and then she nicked your wallet....
ReplyDeleteOh, and I thought I had spent all that money on drink.
DeleteAfter "Hongi and Moko" there should follow "The Haka". Did you do that, too?
ReplyDeleteYes, no, there was no stamping and no tongues involved.
DeleteA precious moment Tom.....they are rare indeed!
ReplyDeleteOh gary , he has moments like these almost every day of the soddin week
DeleteDirty old git
Haven't you got any Christmas shopping to do?
DeleteHad you both finished your cigarettes? Then I don't suppose you're too troubled by the effects of passive smoking when exchanging the breath of life.
ReplyDeleteWe chucked our fags into the gutter before the ritual. I wish I could do the same with John.
DeleteGot it. It was the theme song from the movie, Love With A Proper Stranger starring Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying hard to keep up with your train of thought, Donna.
DeleteIt's called a hongi.
ReplyDeleteAh. Now I can say that I've had a hell of a hongi with a New Zealand woman.
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